Marketing Blog

The leads are there, the crews are busy, the days are full, but something still feels off. Profit is inconsistent, jobs feel chaotic, and growth starts to create more stress instead of more freedom.

Running a deck building business often starts with doing everything yourself. You handle the calls, manage the projects, follow up with leads, and still find yourself catching up on admin work late at night. At some point, it stops being sustainable. That’s where the conversation around time, delegation, and systems becomes critical.

While vacationing in Laguna Beach, the couple opened up about their entrepreneurial journey and what it really takes to build a business that not only supports their family but also leaves room for personal growth and quality time. Here’s what they had to say.

A lot of deck builders are busy right now. Estimates are going out, calls are coming in, and the calendar looks packed. But despite all that activity, many are still landing smaller jobs, dealing with price shoppers, or spending time on leads that never go anywhere. It’s easy to assume the solution is simple: get more leads. But in most cases, that’s not the real problem.

As a deck builder, you may think offering free estimates is the key to bringing in new business. After all, it’s a standard practice in the industry. But in reality, free estimates could be costing you more than you think—especially when it comes to your time and profitability.

Homeowners are researching earlier. They are vetting harder. They are choosing the builder they already trust before the first sales call. Marketing is no longer about chasing leads. It’s about building trust before they ever reach out.

If you missed April’s session at Deck Expo 2025, this is your chance to watch the full breakdown.

From professionalism in 2026 to co-op marketing dollars, partnership opportunities, and common mistakes builders make when asking for support, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what actually earns long-term backing from manufacturers.

As we approach the tail end of February, many deck builders are starting to feel the buzz of the busy season creeping closer. But while everyone else is eagerly awaiting the spring rush, smart builders know that the key to success isn’t waiting until April—it’s tightening up the systems now. By preparing early, they can ride the wave of demand without scrambling or stressing over mistakes that could have been avoided.

As a deck builder, you know that the quality of your craftsmanship speaks for itself. However, if your branding doesn’t match the excellence of your work, you may be unknowingly losing out on potential leads. Dan explains how, even before the phone rings, your branding has already set the stage for whether or not a lead will convert into a customer.

In the world of deck building, growth is the dream. Every builder wants to see their business expand, increase revenue, and land bigger projects. But why is it that so many deck builders lose momentum right after they decide to grow? In this episode of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast, we’re joined by Jessie Champagne, our onboarding expert at Deck Builder Marketers, who provides invaluable insights into why many builders stall after making the decision to grow and how to overcome it.

In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Boswell from Boswell & Associates, a leading marketing and consulting agency specializing in retail space optimization. Michael shares his expertise on designing showrooms that can maximize ROI for deck builders. With years of experience helping businesses in the outdoor living industry drive sales through strategic space design, he offers actionable insights on how to create a showroom that not only attracts customers but also boosts conversions. If you’re a deck builder looking to optimize your showroom and improve your client engagement, this episode is packed with tips that can transform your business.

In this episode, we chat with David Settlemyer, lead designer at Under The Sun Concepts (UTS Concepts), a luxury design and build firm known for its stunning custom outdoor living spaces. Recently, David and UTS Concepts partnered on multiple projects recognized at the 2025 NADRA National Deck Awards, including top honors for Open Porch and Product Display. He shares his design process, how UTS brings decks, patios, and outdoor features to life, and what’s next in luxury outdoor design.

Dr. Decks has an incredible reputation for sharing real-world insights and practical tips that will elevate your deck-building game. Whether you’re looking for business strategies, tech tips, or just some honest, builder-to-builder conversations, you’ll want to tune in.

In this live session, we’ll be diving into how JobTread can help streamline your deck building process, from project management to job tracking and everything in between.
Whether you’re looking to improve your workflow or simplify your operations, this is the perfect opportunity to see how JobTread can transform your business.

In this episode of the We Love Deck Builders Podcast, April Edwards talks with Jeremy Wilkins, co-founder of Deck Van Gogh and creator of @DeckMasterJ. With over 20 years in the trades, Jeremy shares his journey of building a business focused on education, transparency, and innovation. From ultra-lean leadership to real-time client designs, Jeremy reveals his approach to growing a successful deck company and brand. Tune in for practical tips and insights on how to grow your business, improve systems, and lead with transparency.